As the first polls began the close, liberal broadcast networks ABC and NBC were touting how confident the Democrats appeared despite lingering worries from 2016. As they were nearing the end of their political coverage for World News Tonight, ABC anchor David Muir noted: “the Democrats are projecting confidence as well, as you might expect.”
“They like the turnout” Muir continued, “particularly when it comes to their chances of taking over the House. And when Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was asked if she's 100 percent sure of victory tonight, she answered, ‘yes, I am’.”
Meanwhile, on NBC Nightly News, they threw their full weight behind the Democrats as they formed their cheer squad. “This is Kasie Hunt covering the race for the House, where tonight, Democrats are anticipating sweeping back into power,” she gleefully boasted as she began her report. “Nancy Pelosi, currently the Democratic leader, perhaps the next speaker, if Democrats gain at seats. But the question tonight, just how broad is the possible blue wave?”
A short time later, correspondent Kerry Sanders boasted about how confident Democrats were about winning gubernatorial races as well (click “expand” to read):
KERRY SANDERS: There's so much attention on these state races because of what it could mean in 2020. Here on this rainy night in Tallahassee, in Florida, because slightly more Democrats than Republicans were among the 5.1 million early voters, the Dems think they have an edge tonight.
[Cuts to video]
Tonight, historic firsts could be seen across the country, with three Democratic candidates in Georgia, Florida, and Maryland, each vying to become the first African-Americans to take the governor's mansions in their state. And in Vermont, Democrat Christine Hallquist already making history as the first major party transgender nominee. In bellwether Florida, all eyes on Democrat Andrew Gillum. Up against Trump backed Republican Ron DeSantis.
“Other states perhaps holding clues to 2020, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin, where Republican Governor Scott Walker is facing what he's called the toughest race of his life,” Sanders added. “And red Kansas could see a Democratic shift, with Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who led the voter fraud commission, in a tight contest against Democrat Laura Kelly.”
Foreign affairs correspondent and Clinton super fan girl Andrea Mitchell parroted Pelosi’s premature celebration. “Democrats expanded their battlefield for the first time,” Mitchell touted, “putting money into 85 seats across the country, giving them multiple paths to get to their magic number of 23.”
“So, Democrats are pinning their hopes tonight on winning governor races in big mid-western states which would improve their chances for retaking the White House,” she added.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
November 6, 2018
6:39:24 p.m. EasternDAVID MUIR: As Jon pointed out, the White House is prepared for whatever happens tonight. The president said he couldn't campaign for everyone, after all. And tonight, the Democrats are projecting confidence as well, as you might expect. They like the turnout, particularly when it comes to their chances of taking over the House. And when Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was asked if she's 100 percent sure of victory tonight, she answered, “yes, I am”.
So, we have one more question on this tonight, before we move on to other news. Because, we have Mary Bruce here. We're going to show everyone at home the tool we'll have all night long here on election night. Here's the magic number for the Democrats. They would have to flip 23 seats in the House in order to take back control. They would have to pick up two seats in the Senate. Many believe that's going to be an uphill battle if they try for that. But at least when it comes to the House, if that happens for the Democrats, how would life change for this President for the White House?
MARY BRUCE: Well, if Democrats do take the House, the President is going to face an onslaught of investigations. Democrats are likely to dig into everything from conflicts of interest to the President's tax returns. And they're likely to take steps to protect Robert Mueller, the special counsel. As for that big question of impeachment, they want to see what Mueller has first before they make any moves there.
(…)
NBC Nightly News
November 6, 2018
7:08:12 p.m. Eastern(…)
KASIE HUNT: This is Kasie Hunt covering the race for the House, where tonight, Democrats are anticipating sweeping back into power.
NANCY PELOSI: I feel confident that we will win. It's just a question of the what size is.
HUNT: Nancy Pelosi, currently the Democratic leader, perhaps the next speaker, if Democrats gain at seats. But the question tonight, just how broad is the possible blue wave? If Democrats flipped 40 or more states, strategists say it would be an exceptional night. As polls close, watch how Democrats are doing in these districts in these critical suburban districts in Virginia and New Jersey.
(…)
7:09:50 p.m. Eastern
KERRY SANDERS: There's so much attention on these state races because of what it could mean in 2020. Here on this rainy night in Tallahassee, in Florida, because slightly more Democrats than Republicans were among the 5.1 million early voters, the Dems think they have an edge tonight.
[Cuts to video]
Tonight, historic firsts could be seen across the country, with three Democratic candidates in Georgia, Florida, and Maryland, each vying to become the first African-Americans to take the governor's mansions in their state. And in Vermont, Democrat Christine Hallquist already making history as the first major party transgender nominee. In bellwether Florida, all eyes on Democrat Andrew Gillum. Up against Trump backed Republican Ron DeSantis.
(…)
SANDERS: Other states perhaps holding clues to 2020, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin, where Republican Governor Scott walker is facing what he's called the toughest race of his life. And red Kansas could see a Democratic shift, with Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who led the voter fraud commission, in a tight contest against Democrat Laura Kelly.
(…)
7:12:52 p.m. Eastern
LESTER HOLT: We first just heard a moment ago about the President, but Democrats are expressing some confidence, which is a bit surprising given what we saw in 2016.
ANDREA MITCHELL: Confidence about the House, Lester, not the rest of the Congress. But Nancy Pelosi is so confident about winning back the House because Democrats expanded their battlefield for the first time, putting money into 85 seats across the country, giving them multiple paths to get to their magic number of 23. Pelosi said today the question is how big their victory will be, whether it's a wave or squeaker. But on the Senate side, Democrats we talked to are not optimistic. Expected to lose a handful of Senate seats, maybe gain one. That would leave Republicans in control. So, Democrats are pinning their hopes tonight on winning governor races in big mid-western states which would improve their chances for retaking the White House.
(…)
